2020 Lexus ES 300h review: practical and luxurious, but is it worth buying?

2020 Lexus ES 300h Our take: Everything was quiet and smooth during the week with the Lexus ES 300h. While there are all-electric sedans on the market, like the Tesla Model 3, we think Lexus' build quality has a higher pedigree, prompting us to choose this luxury hybrid over an all-electric competitor. We still don't like the Lexus infotainment interface, but we've learned to live with it.

Why change what is still good? If something isn't broken, leave it alone. That's exactly what Lexus did with the 2020 ES 300h. It still offers great fuel economy and doesn't cost much more than a regular petrol-only ES 350.

The 2020 Lexus ES 300h is a good example of why Toyota has been slow to bring an all-electric sedan to market. It is still the favorite after debuting nearly ten years ago. It's quiet and comfortable, with an impressive array of standard equipment.

This week we drove a 2020 Lexus ES 300h with a wide range of options. Here's how our test drive went.

Lexus ES 300h: what's new in 2020?

The Lexus ES was completely redesigned in 2019 and is largely unchanged for the 2020 model year. New for 2020 include Android Auto, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Power Folding Mirrors. All ES models feature the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 as standard equipment.

Lexus ES 300h 2020.

Standard Features: Connectivity and Security

Our 2020 Lexus ES 300h (base price $41,760) was well-equipped with leather upholstery, a sunroof, 10-way adjustable front seats and an eight-inch central infotainment display. Our ES 300h also features LED headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone app-based navigation and Wi-Fi hotspot.

Standard safety tech included forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors.

Lexus Enform Safety Connect is offered for the first 10 years of ownership with 24/7 access to Lexus Enform Response Centers. Lexus Enform Service Connect, also free for 10 years, sends alerts for factory recommended maintenance. With the Lexus Enform Remote (offered as a three-year trial), drivers can view and control certain aspects of the ES using a mobile app.

Some nice additions!

Our tester was loaded with options such as heated and ventilated front seats; wood trim; heated wooden steering wheel (also with hydraulic adjustment); power rear sun visor; external lighting; and heads-up display. An optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system was also included in our ES 300h (a 10-speaker Pioneer system comes standard).

Additional safety features included three-beam LED headlights, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and an intuitive parking system with automatic braking. Two other nice additions were rain-sensing wipers and a windshield wiper.

How much is a 2020 Lexus ES 300h worth?

Total MSRP, including destination, for our 2020 Lexus ES 300h: $53,810. By comparison, the ES 300h starts at $41,810.

Overall, the ES 300h offers a lot of value in the luxury sedan segment, especially if you're looking for a hybrid. If you're considering a new ES 300h, this free and easy search tool* will help you find the best price. Depending on local incentives and stock availability in your area, you may be able to save some on the purchase price.

Interior Features: First Impressions

Upon entering the ES 300h, a comfortable interior opens up with leather and wood trim by day and pleasant lighting in the evening. When you land in the driver's seat, you can see the quality of the material and that the fit and finish is where it should be. There's a certain richness you'd expect from a Lexus, and it shows in the ES 300h.

The luxurious hybrid is a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. We included a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system. With the power of 1800 watts of symphonic blast, the world seems much nicer when you drive through it. Today, the Mark Levinson system is one of the best among luxury cars.

2020 Lexus ES interior layout.

Interior Features: These are the little things

It's easy to pamper yourself with heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel and a 10-way power driver's seat. The ES 300h is ideal if you use it for business and often carry clients and customers. The Power Trunk Closer is especially handy for business owners who need space to carry important files or equipment. Just press a button and the trunk opens or latches to make life a little easier on the go.

Rear passengers have plenty of room to enjoy the ride. If the sun gets too hot, just pull up the curtains on the side windows, which our riders did on an unseasonably warm Denver afternoon this week. The driver can even raise the rear window shade at the push of a button. The cab is also very quiet while driving, so your conversations are not interrupted by road and wind noise.

Engine and transmission

The ES 300h is equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a new hybrid transmission. The total system output is 215 horsepower and 153 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with stepless automatic power transmission to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not available on the ES 300h.

2020 Lexus ES 300h Gas Mileage

EPA ratings come in at 43/44 city/highway and 44 combined mpg. One of Lexus' main competitors in luxury hybrids is the Lincoln. However, in terms of fuel efficiency, the ES 300h is ahead of the MKZ hybrid.

2020 Lexus ES 300h under the hood.

How does the ES 300h work?

This Lexus ES 300h is built to take a beating, and the ride quality and handling are what luxury car buyers are looking for. The road is very quiet, no matter how fast you drive. We think some (if not all) buyers will find the ES 300h a sort of rush hour refuge. We managed to get into traffic easily as the hybrid's 215 horsepower is enough for most driving situations.

We tested the luxury sedan at high altitudes west of Denver, where we could use a bit more power, but for sea level riders, it has everything you need.

Driving dynamics: quiet and stable

Overall, the Lexus ES 300h is relaxed, comfortable, and quiet. When we drove around town this week, we didn't even notice it was a hybrid. The ES 300h seamlessly switches between electric and petrol engines. While driving through stop-and-go traffic in Denver, the ES 300h will run on electricity only. More forgiving speeds from zero to 25 mph can only be achieved with battery power.

We wish Lexus would offer all-wheel drive like Toyota did with the Camry and Avalon. This will give buyers in cold climates additional peace of mind.

Conclusion: a good combination of luxury and value

The 2020 Lexus ES 300h is a pleasure to drive and will be easy to live with. You can use it for both pleasure and business - either way, it's a good place to spend time. The interior is luxurious, spacious and comfortable enough for passengers sitting in the back.

There are many premium tier options that will delight your customers, but the price will skyrocket. However, we are impressed with the combination of luxury and value in the ES 300h.

Denis Flierl has worked in the automotive industry for over 25 years in various positions. All of his first-hand reviews are archived on our test drive page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

Gallery Lexus ES 300h 2020

Photo: Lexus.

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